Best Portable Jump Pack ?

patrick_g · Jan 1, 2010

crbr said:
An unattended trickle will ruin a battery.

A battery maintainer (float charger) will not harm your battery by "boiling" off electrolyte like an old fashioned trickle charger. They may be connected for a long time. They are NOT for charging a discharged battery, just keeping a fairly charged battery from self discharge.

Available from HF under $10 or autoparts store for $20 or more. I have some of both and recommend the HF units as they have never failed me and cost about $7-9 on sale.

Pat

tsteahr · Jan 1, 2010

patrick_g said:
A battery maintainer (float charger) will not harm your battery by "boiling" off electrolyte like an old fashioned trickle charger.

Available from HF under $10 or autoparts store for $20 or more.
Pat

I just went through doing the battery tender research. I believe these are the best available:

Battery Tender - Home of the Battery Tender Jr. - Batterytender.com

They make a Jr and a Plus. $22 and $45 on amazon. They are the most sophisticated units I found. Temperature compensated with a four phase program. The only functional difference between the two is max amperage, 0.75 vs 1.25. If you are a Snap-On type of guy, Snap-on sells the Plus version painted blue with a Blue-Point label. The Blue-Point label and blue paint adds about $30 to the price.

I have one of the inexpensive HF tenders and have used it for years. I have always had the nagging suspicion is was ever so slightly overcharging. With the HF unit, I end up only leaving it hooked up for a few days, then disconnect it for a few days, than back on... As with all HF stuff, it can be hit or miss if you get a bad one. I don't think quality control is a HF forte.

Matt_Jr · Jan 1, 2010

I have a Snap-on jump pack, I think it's a 1700 model. I don't know what that 1700 means, but I tested it at around 290 cranking amps with a snap-on starting/charging system tester. I haven't had it more than a year, but so far haven't had trouble starting anything except a few diesels that were just flat out dead. I found on most vehicles, if I hook it up and leave it on the vehicle a few minutes before cranking, the odds are more in my favor. I bought it more for the reason of hooking a power probe to it to test electric motors, solenoids, etc.., but works ok for starting most cars and light trucks. Expensive little booger.

Sackett2 · Jan 1, 2010

I bought a 70 dollar Wall-mart special- a bigger one. Love it, although Wall-Mart no longer carries it. The feature I liked was the no-voltage at he clamps until it was hooked up. It eventually failed so I went to interstate and replaced the battery inside it. It has been one of the better jump boxes I have had; I have a mac brand also, its OK

Gem99ultra · Jan 1, 2010

I too, use Battery Tenders. Actually, I have 5 of them. They run about $50 including the pigtail as well as clamp connectors. So far they've kept my batteries in a full charge state, some with over 7 years on them.

I also have a couple of Honda 2000 watt suitcase invertors. Those can be daisy chained to give 4000 watts if one wanted. So far I've not had a need to daisy chain them though, but I do love the fact that they run ~13 hours on one gallon of gasoline. And they're quiet enough that one can talk and be heard right next to them.

Both items are top of the line, in my opinion. They just keep on working, and have never let me down. That in itself is worth a couple of extra bucks.

FlaDon · Jan 1, 2010

Originally Posted by crbr
An unattended trickle will ruin a battery.

Over how many years? A half amp/13 volt charge going into a battery between uses once a week didn't kill them in 4-6 years that the batteries were rated for. It does help if you set the charge level correctly instead of using a fixed rate one.

jenkinsph · Jan 3, 2010

With about 30 batteries in my equipment I have found that having good batteries tends to eliminate the need for jump starting. If I have a dead battery I simply replace it, now if you have someone leave the lights on or something of that nature (operator error) then replace the operator.

My jump pack consists of a set of 2/0 ga jumper cables for the larger stuff and a cheap set of 4 ga for the small stuff. For winter and portable use I have a Honda 2000i with 8amp output and battery clips and 120v outlets that can charge up the battery and warm the engine simultaneously. Warming up the engine probably helps more than anything.

This week when I go to the big city I will get a new DieHard Platinum for the 110tlb since it is 5 years old, have to change it before it fails.

If you are a private homeowner/user then needing a jump pack would make me think you need good batteries instead.

robertwhite · Jan 3, 2010

The more info I get from here the more it makes me think I may just go with a HD battery and a cart set up. I don't think there is any way a jump pack is going to equal a 850cca battery. Also thinking about a small generator.

VitaBene · Jan 5, 2010

robertwhite said:
The more info I get from here the more it makes me think I may just go with a HD battery and a cart set up. I don't think there is any way a jump pack is going to equal a 850cca battery. Also thinking about a small generator.

I have thought about it since my original post:

1. Sturdy, somewhat compact hand truck from HD or the like $40
2. Marine battery box on the bottom shelf with a nice 850 or so CCA battery $95.
3. Weld some hooks for the cables and another shelf with sides on it for the inverter and battery tender. If you are like me, you will tack it on yourself - of course built out of old bed frames and scrap metal. If you don't have a welder your buddy will do it for a case of icy cold Budweisers

It will sit nice in a corner when not needed and provide your 120VAC in the field with the inverter.

crbr · Jan 5, 2010

FlaDon said:
Originally Posted by crbr
An unattended trickle will ruin a battery.

Over how many years? A half amp/13 volt charge going into a battery between uses once a week didn't kill them in 4-6 years that the batteries were rated for. It does help if you set the charge level correctly instead of using a fixed rate one.